Method and Apparatus for User Authentication and Security

• US 20140039721A1
• Filed: 10/03/2013
• Published: 02/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Protopapas, Maria Eugenia
• Application Number:
  US14/045,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20140039721A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 using manual input of alphanumerical codes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A computer implemented method includes logging a GPS location in a wireless device responsive to a vehicle entering a parked state. The method also includes comparing device GPS coordinates to the logged GPS coordinates to determine if the device is in vehicle proximity, after the wireless device has moved a predetermined distance from the logged GPS location. The method additionally includes sending a signal to the vehicle to activate a user authentication process when the device is in vehicle proximity.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method comprising:

authenticating a user using a first authentication process outside a vehicle;

authenticating the user using a second authentication process inside the vehicle; and

if either of the authentication processes fails to authenticate the user, providing an override authentication process inside the vehicle;

wherein

if both authentication processes authenticate the user or if the override authentication process authenticates the user, full vehicle functionality is provided, wherein

if either authentication process fails to authenticate the user and if the override authentication process fails to authenticate the user, limited vehicle functionality is provided.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein limited vehicle functionality includes prohibiting the vehicle from traveling more than a predetermined distance.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein limited vehicle functionality includes prohibiting the vehicle from traveling anywhere other than along a route to a predetermine location.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the route is defined by a corridor along a determined route of a predetermined width.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the authentication processes is a biometric authentication process.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the override includes entry of a passcode.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein both of the authentication processes are biometric authentication processes.

8. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

authenticating a user using a first authentication process outside a vehicle;

authenticating the user using a second authentication process inside the vehicle; and

if either of the authentication processes fails to authenticate the user, providing an override authentication process inside the vehicle;

wherein

if both authentication processes authenticate the user or if the override authentication process authenticates the user, full vehicle functionality is provided, wherein

if either authentication process fails to authenticate the user and if the override authentication process fails to authenticate the user, limited vehicle functionality is provided.

9. The storage medium of claim 8, wherein limited vehicle functionality includes prohibiting the vehicle from traveling more than a predetermined distance.

10. The storage medium of claim 8, wherein limited vehicle functionality includes prohibiting the vehicle from traveling anywhere other than along a route to a predetermine location.

11. The storage medium of claim 10, wherein the route is defined by a corridor along a determined route of a predetermined width.

12. The storage medium of claim 8, wherein one or more of the authentication processes is a biometric authentication process.

13. The storage medium of claim 8, wherein the override includes entry of a passcode.

14. The storage medium of claim 8, wherein both of the authentication processes are biometric authentication processes.

15. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

authenticate a user using a first authentication process outside a vehicle;

authenticate the user using a second authentication process inside the vehicle; and

if either of the authentication processes fails to authenticate the user, provide an override authentication process inside the vehicle;

wherein

if both authentication processes authenticate the user or if the override authentication process authenticates the user, the processor is configured to provide full vehicle functionality, wherein

if either authentication process fails to authenticate the user and if the override authentication process fails to authenticate the user, the processor is configured to provide limited vehicle functionality.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein limited vehicle functionality includes prohibiting the vehicle from traveling more than a predetermined distance.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein limited vehicle functionality includes prohibiting the vehicle from traveling anywhere other than along a route to a predetermine location.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the route is defined by a corridor along a determined route of a predetermined width.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein one or more of the authentication processes is a biometric authentication process.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the override includes entry of a passcode.